An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 41

Author: Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913. cn
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Montana > An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 41

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highly esteemed as citizens. Since his arrival in Butte City Mr. Leys has scored a remarkable success, and he has a bright future before him.

HON. WILLIAM W. DIXON, a resident of Butte City and an ex-member of Congress, is one of the ablest lawyers of the State; he has been a resident of Montana ever since 1866.

Mr. Dixon is a native of New York State, born in Brook- lyn June 3, 1838. His father, George C. Dixon, was a native of England who came to America when twelve years of age, settling first in New York, became a lawyer and married Miss ITeurietta Gourgas, a native of Massa- chusetts and of Swiss descent. Later he moved to Illi- nois and to Iowa, in which latter State he died in the six- tieth year of his age; his wife had died in her forty-eighth year. They had only two children,-a son and a daugh- ter,-and Mr. Dixon is now the only survivor of the family.

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was educated in the public schools, and read law under the instructions of his father, being admitted to the bar in Iowa in 1858. After practicing there a short time he went to Tennessee and Arkansas, practicing his profes- sion in the South for a year, and in 1862 crossed the plains to California, but he soon returned as far east as Nevada, where he remained four years and then came to Helena, Montana, where he followed his profession in connec- tion with W. II. Clagett. Later he removed to Deer Lodge and practiced there until 1877. Next, he proceeded to the Black Ilills and practiced law there two years, and finally, in 1881, he came to Butte, where he has since re- sided, acquiring a large and lucrative practice. He has acquired the reputation of being one of the best and most thoroughly read counselors in the State. He is the attorney for the Anaconda Mining Company, the largest in Montana.

All his life Mr. Dixon has been an advocate of the prin- ciples of the Democratic party, and for a number of years

the Crows are world beaters, and words cannot do the subject justice. Fortunately, Bostwick was on guard himself, so he cannot blame any- body else with carelessness. Course of river nearly northeast. About 10 A. M. saw buffalo for the first time on the trip; turned into the river bottom and camped. After dinner, Bost- wick, Underwood and I went out into the hills to kill one. When we got on the hills, about three miles from the river, we could see over a large extent of country, and there were buffalo in nearly all directions in bands of from two to nine. I think we saw altogether about 100. We were afraid our horses could not catch them,

past he has improved large opportunities for doing his party good service. Ile is a power in political campaigns. He represented Deer Lodge county in the Territorial Legislature, was a member of both the constitutional conventions, was active in shaping the present constitu- tion of the State and had the honor of being chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in which position he rendered the State great service in the development of Montana's very excellent constitution; and in 1890, by reason of his eminent ability and fitness, he was chosen by the people of the State to represent them in the Fifty-second United States Congress, a position which he filled to the highest satisfaction of his constituents.

On the 5th of August, 1874, Mr. Dixon was married to Miss Ida Wilcox, a native of St. Louis, and they have had but one child, William W., Jr., now sixteen years of age and at school in Georgetown, District of Columbia.

Mrs. Dixon is a member of the Catholic Church. They are both highly esteemed in social circles.

N. P. EVANS, County Commissioner of Deer Lodge county, Montana, first came to the Territory in 1865.

lle was born in Pettis county, Missouri, June 27, 1857, son of Philip E. Evans, a Montana pioneer of 1864, whose history appears in this work and to which the reader is referred for the ancestry of the family.

N. P. Evans was eight years of age at the time he came with his mother and the other children up the Missouri river to join the father, and has a vivid recollection of the journey and the pioneer days in Montana. He was educated in the public schools of Deer Lodge and in the University of Missouri, and after completing his college course, taught one term of school in his native State. While in Missouri he was married, June 21, 1892, to Miss Sarah Ann Powell, a native of that State and a d. ughter of W. L. Powell, now of Deer Lodge, Montana.

After his marriage, Mr. Evans removed to California, where he was for a time foreman for P. D. Jones. He re- mained in the Golden State sixteen months, and at the

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and on foot we could only get within about two hundred and fifty yards of any of them. Finally, I tried a shot at that distance. Shot him too high to kill dead, and away they went. We tried another band, and Bostwick and I both shot at one abont two hundred yards. Both hit him, but he ran off with our lead. It was now getting late, so we concluded to run them. We started in about five hundred yards behind one, and in three quarters of a mile he ran into a band of ten or twelve. I was riding a brown mare, bought from Robert Dempsey, and Bostwick and Underwood both led mne for the first mile. After that I had it all my own

end of that time came again to Montana, settling on the Little Blackloot, near Garrison, where he farmed four years. He then purchased 160 acres of land, six miles south of Deer Lodge, and here he has since resided, de- voting his energy to its improvement and cultivation, and also giving much of his time to the raising of fine horses. Ilis father had for a number of years been interested in high-bred trotting horses, and after his death our subject purchased from the estate some of the stock. His horses are of Almont and Wilkes breeds, and among them is the celebrated Nutmeg Maid, dam of Ida D., with a record of 2:17}. Another noted steed, Don L., with a record of 2:28}, they sold for $3,000. From one of his fine mares Mr. Evans sold $7,500 worth of colts. For several years his horses took all the first premiums for speed in Mon- tana.

Like his father before him, Mr. N. P. Evans is a stanch Democrat. In the winter of 1869-70, while his father occupied the position of engrossing clerk in the Territor- ial Assemby, he served as page. At this writing he is serving efficiently as County Commissioner. He is pains- taking and obliging, makes an excellent official and has hosts of friends all over the county.

Mr. Evans' marriage has already been referred to. He and his wife are the parents of the following children : Philip E., Mary P., William Lucas, Edwin Wallace and Ruth Atwell.

HON. JOHN F. FORBIS, senior member of the well- known law firm of Forbis & Forbis, Butte, Montana, may be said to be a "product" of Montana, he having been brought up and educated in this Territory.

He was born in Platte county, Missouri, February 11, 1855, of Scotch and English ancestry, who were early settlers in New England. They removed to North Car- olina and thence to Lincoln county, Kentucky, being there among the early settlers. Here the father of the subject of this sketch, Jonathan F. Forbis, was born Jan- uary 27, 1816. Ile married America A. Perrin, whose

way. I ran up to them and tried to pick out a fat one, but didn't know how; finally chose the largest; ran alongside, and let him have it be- hind the shoulder. He and three or four others left the band. I followed, and went to run up again, but he wouldn't stand it and charged me. Turning, I ran round ahead of him and shot him behind the other shoulder and down he went."

A summary of the journal to its close is as follows:

During the day, the party passed through groves of large cottonwood, saw some large rattlesnakes and many bull snakes; elk and

people came originally from England and settled in Vir- ginia and afterward in Kentucky. They had one child in Kentucky. In 1836 they removed to Missouri, where Mr. Forbis purchased land and engaged in agricultural pursuits, and nine other children were born in the family.

In 1864 they crossed the plains with oxen, and settled at Virginia City, where Mr. Forbis engaged in mining until the following year. They were resident there dur- ing the most exciting times, and the high prices of pro- visions, when flour cost $100 a sack and other things in proportion. In 1865 they removed to Helena, where Mr. Forbis had a farm, and was active and prominent in pub- lic affairs; was for many terms one of the County Com- missioners for Lewis and Clarke counties, and also for a number of terms a Representative in the Territorial Leg- islature. He was a thoroughly good citizen, a kind husband and father, and an obliging and neighborly man, having the respect of all who knew him. He and his wife were valued members of the Christian Church. He died of apoplexy, Jannary 26, 1827. His good wife is still liv- ing, now in the seventy-seventh year of her age, greatly heloved by her children, all of whom are living, and are among the most respected of the citizens of the State in which they have so long resided and led most worthy lives. Their eldest daughter is now Mrs. E. H. Irvine, of Butte; their second daughter is now the wife of Dr. W. L. Steel, of Helena; the third married Prof. J. R. Russell, 01 Butte, and the youngest of the daughters is the wife of Mr. M. B. Brownlee, a banker of Butte City. The sons are: W. P. Forbis, a mining operator ; John F. and James W., lawyers.

John F., the subject of this brief review, was their fifth child, and was in his ninth year when the family arrived in Montana. He received his education in the Helena public schools, read law under the guidance of Judge Knowles, and was appointed Deputy Clerk of the District Court under O. B. O. Bannon. He was admitted to the bar in 1877, and began his practice at Butte, and from Isst to

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buffalo plenty; along the river were many houses, some built like lodges, most of them oblong or square. On May 3, the party camped three miles below Bompey's Pillar. On reach- ing this natural monument they found the names of Captain Clarke and two of his men cut in the rock with the date July 25, 1806. There were also two other names inscribed under date May 23, 1834, viz., Derick and Vancourt, supposed to be attached to the Bridger, Sub- lette, or Bonneville party. Up to May 4, the expedition struck only one spring between the Yellowstone and Missouri. On May 5, they camped at the mouth of the Big Horn. Geery, while bathing in the river was swept down into the whirlpool, where the two rivers meet. Owing to his strength and swimming powers he escaped drowning. On May 6, 1863, five men were detailed to cross the Big Horn, and survey a town site and ranches; while another party of four was sent forward to prospect. On this day, James Stuart and four others eut their names on sandstones up the river. On May 7, the party started up the west bank of the Horn, traveling eighteen miles that day. On the 8th they traveled fifteen miles through a desolate country; on the 9th the remains of an Indian were found buried up a tree. On the 11th a party of three white men were observed three- fourths of a mile across the river; they neither answered nor halted; so that Underwood and Smith were dispatched to overtake them. A

1889 was associated with Judge Knowles in law prac- tice at Butte. When Judge Knowles became United States District Judge of the State, the present law firm of Forbis & Forbis was established, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch being the senior partner, and the other being his brother, James W. Forbis. This firm has acquired an excellent reputation in Montana, giving strict attention to the interests of their clients, meeting with flattering success, and they are now considered one of the most reliable law firms in the State. They are the attorneys of several large mining companies, as well as

fry pan and a pack of cards were the only relics of this party found, as they fled with all speed.

This party, it afterward appeared, was J. M. Bozeman and John M. Jacobs and his little danghter, seven or eight years old. They were on their way from the Three Forks of the Missouri river to Red Buttes, on the North Platte river, looking out a ronte for a wagon- road, which they finally found, and which was afterward known as the Jacobs and Bozeman cut-off. They had been chased by a party of Indians a few days before, and when they saw and heard Stuart's party they at once took them for Indians, and did not wait to find ont, but at once did their utmost to escape, with the result above stated. But two days later they came suddenly upon a band of seventy-five or eighty mounted Indians. Knowing they would be plundered of everything, if not murdered, and considering resistance hopeless, Jacobs managed to drop his rifle and bullet-pouch into the sage-bush before the Indians got to them. His anticipations were realized, for they were at once stripped of almost everything, and many were for killing them on the spot; but finally, after a stormy discussion, they were given three miserable ponies in exchange for their horses and turned loose, half-naked and without anything to eat. Moving slowly away, they waited until the Indians got out of sight, when they returned and found Jacobs' gun and bullet-pouch; but, unfortunately, the latter only

for some of the leading business and banking firms of the State. Their office is in their own block on Broadway.

Mr. Forbis, of this sketch, is a member of the Silver Bow Club, and has always been a Democrat. He repre- sented his county in the Territorial Legislature of 1879, 1883 and 1885, and he is at present a member of the Board of Education of the State of Montana.

He was married at Salt Lake City on the 22d of Feb- ruary, 1838, to Miss Mina Daft, a native of that city, and they have two children, viz : Margery, born April 5 1890, and John, August 4, 1893.

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ASBabcock

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contained five balls at the time, and as they made all possible haste to get out of that dan- gerous neighborhood they did not stop so kill and dry any meat, and before they knew it they had passed out of the buffalo range, and meet- ing with bad luck in killing small game (which is usually the case when it is absolutely neces- sary to kill it), their five bullets were exhausted; and after severe hardships they finally got through to North Platte in a famishing condi- tion. It was doubtless the intention of the Indians to have them die of hunger before they could get out of the country. Poor Bozeman, after whom the flourishing county seat of

HON. ALBERT L. BABCOCK, of Billings, Montana, stands in practical illustration of what pluck, perseverance and business ability can accomplish.

Mr. Babcock was born on a farm near Albany, New York, in 1851, son of William C. and Julia (Lawrence) Babcock. Several generations of his ancestors resided in New York. He grew to manhood in the State of Illi- nois, where he received a limited education in the com- mon schools. Thrown upon his own resources at the early age of fourteen, he began to do for himself and ere long developed rare business qualities. Believing that opportunities for success were greater in the growing towns on the frontier than in Illinois, in 1882 he came to Billings, Montana, in advance of the railroad, and en- gaged in the hardware and implement business. Subse- quently he became a member of the Babcock-Miles Hard- ware and Implement Company, which firm continued to do business witth marked success until 1892, when Mr. Babcock purchased the interest of Mr. Miles. The firm is now known as the Babcock Hardware Company, and besides the establishment at Billings branch houses are also maintained at Red Lodge and Castle, Montana.

It was in 1885 that Mr. Babcock entered public life That year he was appointed a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Yellowstone county, was elected to the same office in 1886, and served in that capacity un- til 1889, being chairman of the board during the latter year. Being elected to the State Senate in 1889, he re- signed his position as Commissioner. In 1892 he was elected to the Lower House of the General Assembly of the State. During his service in the Senate in 1890 he was one of the eight formidable Republicans that com- posed the "dead lock." He is the present Republican nominee for State Senator, having received the unani- mous nomination for that position in September, 1894. Ile served on the staff of Governor White and Governor Toole and is now a member of Governor Rickards' staff, with the rank of Colonel. In Masonic circles Mr. Bab-

Gallatin county was named, was murdered by the Indians near the mouth of Shields river. on the Yellowstone. April 20, 1867. On May 12, the expedition crossed Box Elder creek, and entered a country of box elder groves and wild plum trees.

" May 13, 1863 .- Last night Smith and I had the first watch, and about eleven o'clock the horses at my end were scared at something, but it was very dark and I could not see anything. I though it might be a wolf prowling around the camp. A few minutes before eleven o'clock I sat up and lit a match to see what time it was, and also to light my pipe, but at once lay

cock has gained marked distinction. Ile is a member of Ashlar Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M., the chapter and commandry of Billings, and Algeria Temple, of Helena. He was elected Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templar of the State of Montana in October, 1893. In connection with his business life, it should be further stated that he is president of the Yellowstone National Bank of Billings, vice president of the Billings Water & Electric Light Company, and that he is concerned in various other business enterprises. Mr. Babcock was married in 1877 to Miss Nettie Packer, daughter of Rev. Packer, a prominent minister of the Christian Church at Peoria, Illinois. They have one child, Lewis C.

Mr. Babcock is a thorough gentleman, genial and un- assuming in manner, always approachable and ready to discuss business matters and public questions with the humblest citizen.

AMos Buck, one of the most prominent merchants of Stevensville, was born in Sandusky, Ohio, February 26, 1844, and is of English and Swiss descent. ITis ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and were soldiers in both the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812. Ilis father, George Buck, was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and was married in 1818 to Susan Shell, who was born in that county in 1800. They moved to Ohio in 1828, and in 1850 located in Monroe, Michigan, where Mr. Buck died in 1858. His wife sur- vived until 1892, and attained the age of ninety-one years. Her father, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, lived to the age of ninety-eight years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Buck was identified with the Dunkard Church. They had seven sons and six daughters, and five sons and two daughters still survive.

Amos Buck, twelfth child in order of birth, was raised on a farm in Michigan. He attended the public schools during the winter, and afterward entered the State Nor- mal School at Ypsilanti. After spending two years and a half as clerk in a store at Bellevue, Ohio, he drove four

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down again; we were both lying flat on the ground trying to see what made the horses so uneasy, and to this we owe our lives. Just then I heard Sinith whisper that there was some- thing around his part of the horses, and a few seconds later the Crows fired a terrible volley into the camp. I was lying between two of my horses, and both were killed and very nearly fell on me. Four horses were killed and five more wounded, while in the tents two men were mortally, two badly, and three more slightly wounded. Smith shouted, 'Oh, you scoundrels!' and fired both barrels of his shot- gun at the flash of theirs, but, so far as we conld

yoke of oxen across the plains, walking the entire dis- tance. His company was composed of twenty-two teams, and there were many emigrants on the road. They spent 117 days in making the journey from St. Joseph to Vir- ginia City, Montana, arriving at that place August 15, 1864. Mr. Buck was engaged iu gold-mining during that fall, making as high as eight dollars a day and on one oc- casion, with three others, took out $1,600. The creek was mined for a distance of sixteen miles in length, and at places one mile in width. He was at that place during the trials and hanging of the "road agents," and was a warm friend of Colonel W. F. Sanders and the great work he did for Montana in ridding the Territory of the law- less element that threatened the life of every successful miner. From Virginia City Mr. Buck went to Last Chance Gulch, having mined on what is now the main street of Helena, and was interested with four others in a claim 100 feet square, from which they took out about $20,000. He next mined at Lincoln Gulch, Deer Lodge county, until 1870, where he lost all his for- mer earnings, and went down the Blackfoot river to Ce- dar creek.

In 1872, in company with his brothers, Henry and Fred, Mr. Buck purchased a stock ranch seven miles north of Stevensville, where they remained two years; but in the spring of 1874 he abandoned that occupation and purchased the mercantile business of Joseph Lomme in this city. The building was one story high, 20 x 40 feet, and contained a $2,500 stock of goods. The Buck Broth- ers purchased the produce of the valley, which they hauled to the mining camps, Amos doing a large amount of the outdoor work. The partnership continued until 1886, when our subject and his brother George organized the firm of Amos Buck & Company, and two years later they incorporated the Amos Buck Mercantile Company, with a paid-up capital of $30,000. George Buck is presi- cent of the company, Mr. J. Frank Burrough, vice presi- deut: and our subject, secretary and treasurer. They con-

tell next morning, without effect; he most prob- ably fired too high. I could not fire, for the horses were in the way. I shouted for some one to tear down the tents, to prevent their afford- ing a mark for the murderous Indians a second time. York rushed out and tore them down in an instant. I then ordered all who were able to take their arms and crawl out from the tents a little way, and lie flat on the ground, and thus we lay until morning, expecting another attack each instant, and determined to sell our lives as dearly as possible. When at last day dawned we could see a few Indians among the rocks and pines on a hill some five or six hun-

duct a general mercantile business, occupy three large stores and several warehouses, and also handle large quantities of farm products. In addition to their mercantile business the company own the Whippoorwill and Last Chance silver mines, and a farm of 520 acres, on which they raise large quantities of grain. They are also largely engaged in buying and shipping grain.

Mr. Buck was married September 12, 1883, to Miss Rosa V. Knapp, a native of Albion, Michigan. They have one son, Charles Amos, now seven years of age. In his so- cial relations, Mr. Buck is a member of the Masonie fra- ternity, of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W. and the East- ern Star. Politically, he votes for the candidates of the Republican party. Mrs. Buck is a worthy member of the Methodist Church.

WILLIAM L. HILL, County Treasurer of Silver Bow county, Montana, was born in Devonshire, England, March 24, 1862, educated in his native country and learned the watchmaker's trade there. In 1893 he came to Amer- ica, and for the first year was employed in the Waltham watch factory. In 1884 he came to Butte, and after working at his trade for a short time he lost the job. Not being satisfied with idleness for a single day, he went to work with pick and shovel, mining at Walkerville. Soon, however, he obtained a situation as bookkeeper for the Northwestern Forwarding Company. After that he went to the Coeur d'Alenes, but, not liking the situa- tion there, he accepted a position as bookkeeper for the J. W. Lowell Wagon Company at Dillon. Later he returned to Butte and was employed at whatever he could find to do, most of the time unloading cars. As late as 1886 he was engaged at ranch work, when a mule team ran away with him aud broke his leg. On recovering from his wound he secured a position as mailing clerk in the post office, which place he continued to occupy for two years. He was next engaged in the railroad mail service, with head- quarters at Helena, where he remained till the spring of 1889; then Colonel Kessler made him his deputy County

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dred yards away watching to see the effect of their bloody work.

" An examination of the wounded presented a dreadful sight. C. D. Watkins was shot in the right temple, and the ball came out at the left cheek bone; the poor fellow was still breathing, bnt insensible. E. Bostwick was shot in five different places-once in the back part of the shoulder, shattering the shoulder blade, but the ball did not come out in front; three balls passed through the right thigh, all shattering the bone, and one ball passed through the left thigh, which did not break the bone; he was sen- sible, but suffering dreadful agony. H. A. Bell

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 41

Author: Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913. cn Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis pub. co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913. cn
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1216